English Theatre Student Matinees

Artistic experiences are essential to lifelong learning, enabling us to reflect upon ourselves and our world with new eyes. Live theatre encourages students of all ages to develop critical thinking, expand points of view, understand different perspectives, and foster a sense of identity, opinion and artistic appreciation. At NAC English Theatre we want every child, student, adult and elder to feel welcome and comfortable in the theatrical experience. Our goal is to foster dialogue, empathy and inspiration, and create a space where artistry, education and passion collectively take centre stage.

NAC English Theatre takes pride in bringing the best of Canadian theatre to our national stage. All our student matinees feature artist Talkbacks – a chance to meet, explore and share with the people behind the plays. Most productions have companion study guides including curriculum connections, classroom activities and discussion questions, giving educators tools to engage their students in meaningful conversations.

We're pleased to present the 2018/19 Season English Theatre Student Matinees.

We hope you will join us for some or all of these diverse, unique, Canadian stories.

For information on in-school workshops, backstage tours and other English Theatre education activities - click here.

On a warm spring day in 1734, “troublesome slave” Marie-Joseph Angélique set fire to the city of Montreal. Or so the story goes. With dreams of escaping the false safety of domestic servitude in New France for freedom in New England, Angélique was instead condemned for the crime. But was she truly guilty? From playwright Lorena Gale, Angélique weaves seamlessly between historical and contemporary times, speaking to us through the flames with an urgent message from the past to our own time.

In one of the wildest frauds in Canadian history, Arlan Galbraith built a bird-breeding empire called Pigeon King International, using investments from hundreds of his neighbours and fellow farmers. For seven years, he offered a lifeline of financial hope to people whose luck had nearly run out. But was he really a scheming con man? Or a hapless victim of his own preposterous dream? The Pigeon King tells Galbraith’s incredible story, and reminds us that even well-meaning lies eventually come home to roost.

In the final moments of his extraordinary life, east coast whale researcher Jon Lien tried desperately to tell his wife something, which she struggled to understand. Between Breaths floats through the inspiring career of the man who freed more than 500 whales from fishing nets. From his unexpected first encounter with a whale, Lien worked to earn the trust of the injured giants, as well as the fishermen whose nets accidentally entrapped them. With an evocative, live score by The Once, this moving work by renowned playwright Robert Chafe (The Colony of Unrequited Dreams) examines what it means to find your passion and how to let it go.

Reserve now to guarantee availability!

Starting at : $10/ticket

We will follow up within 5 business days to confirm your order and calculate pricing.

Reserve and pay for your English Theatre tickets prior to October 1 and receive 5% off your total invoice.

Reserve a three-play subscription and receive 10% off your total invoice.

Combine these discounts to receive a total of 15% off!

Post-Performance Talkbacks

A post-performance talkback takes place after every student matinee performance, allowing time to debrief, discuss and debate the work, and ask the artists questions.

Free Preview Tickets for Teachers

We’re pleased to offer a pair of complimentary tickets to a preview performance for teachers who have reserved for their students, allowing you and a guest to attend the performance prior to bringing your class.

Adult Supervisor Tickets

One FREE adult chaperone ticket is provided for every 15 student tickets purchased.

Reading Copies

Copies of scripts for most of our productions are available upon request. To obtain reading copies please email etedu@nac-cna.ca.

Flexible Numbers

We know it can be difficult to pin-point exact numbers in advance, so a reduction of up to 10% of your booking is permissible up to one week prior to the performance. Any reduction will be credited to your English Theatre Student Matinee account, or can be transferred to other classes within your school. Refunds will not be issued for reductions or cancellations. Additions to your booking may be made up to the day before the performance, subject to availability.